Brenda Olmstead
Bogue Sound Elementary
December 10, 1999

Approximate Time Required
       1-2 weeks in the classroom
        2 - 45 minute sessions in the computer lab

Curriculum Areas NC Standard Course of Study:

Social Studies
    Goal 2:  The learner will infer that individuals, families, and institutions in neighborhoods and communities are and have been alike and different.
        Objective 2.2 Describe similarities and differences among families in different neighborhoods and communities.
     Goal 7:  The learner will analyze religious and other cultural traditions.
        Objective: 7.1 Identify religious and secular holidays observed in neighborhoods and communities.
Language Arts
    Goal 4:  The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
        Objective 4.04 Plan and make judgment about what to include in written products.
     Goal 5:  The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
        Objective 5.02 Attend to spelling, mechanics, and format for final products in one's own writing.
Computer/Technology Skills
    Goal 2:  The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in using computer technology.
        Objective 2.1 Identify essential computer terms.
        Objective 2.2 Identify the functions of physical components of the computer system.
        Objective 2.3  Use correct finger placement for home row keys.
        Objective 2.4  Use word processing to enter, save, print, and retrieve text.
 
 

Teacher's Lesson Goals/Objectives
    The students will note likeness and differences in holiday celebrations (Christmas) in the United States and Germany.  The students will write a paragraph using "power writing" (main idea and supporting details).  The student will use the computer to enter their paragraph, save retrieve, and print for display.

Materials

• Writing paper
• Pencils
• Storybook - The Nutcracker
• Field trip to view the ballet The Nutcracker
• Research materials on holiday celebrations (Christmas)
• Computer
• Desktop publishing software
• Printer

    The students will review word processing skills (how to enter, save, retrieve, and print text) in the computer lab.  The students view the ballet, The Nutcracker.  The students are introduced to "power writing".

Activities

1. Review terms compare and contrast.
2. Tell students to listen to the story for likenesses and differences in celebrating Christmas in Germany and the United States.
3. Read the story, The Nutcracker.
4. Discuss how Christmas is celebrated in Germany and compare to the United States.
5. The students choose two of their favorite parts in the story The Nutcracker, and using "power writing" (main idea with supporting details).
6. Students take their work through the writing process.
7. 1st day in the computer lab:  Students take their final draft of their paper to the computer for word processing. Computer components they will use in the lab today are address: disk drive, monitor, keyboard, hard drive and printer are reviewed.  Students review home row keys and finger placement and teacher monitors students as they key in their paper. At the end of the lab time students name and save their word processed document to a folder on the hard drive or disk drive.
8. 2nd day in the computer lab: Students retrieve their document, use proper finger placement on the home row and finish their word processing. When the document is completed, students save their work then print their document.
9. Students share their writing in an oral presentation as other students listen for the main idea and supporting details.
10. Students display their writings on the bulletin board.

Return to top